"Shop, Stay but don't be fooled by SFS (LA co)!"
Top 5 Page for this destinationLos Angeles Off The Beaten Path Tip by marinarena

Yes, shop in, stay in and /or don't be fooled by the city of Santa Fe Springs.

Shop

SFS Outdoor Swap Meet at the old drive-thru

Shop at one of the biggest outdoor swap meets in the greater LA area. The SFS swap meet is THE reason why most locals bother to come here. Items include clothing, furniture, shoes, jewelry, beauty products, home acessories, antiques and many sorts of knick-knacks. Many items are quite commonplace and not too fancy. I would always come in here for clothing, beauty items, books, and music. Bring good walking shoes here. Walking all around and through the place and shopping takes a few hours at least.

Besides shopping there is much entertainment at the venue here. SFS Swap Meet is known really as an often fun (and/or cheesy) place to see popular music artists of yesteryear (anyone remember Steveie B? He's played here :-), cover bands (like one an Eagles tribute band called Desperado), amateur talent shows, dance contest and really offbeat acts. Yeah, zany American culture...gotta love it!

Check website for free and other info.http://www.sfsswapmeet.com

Stay

Santa Fe Springs is a common stop for travellers on long road trip. She's a gateway city to either Los Angeles or Orange county, reachable by the 5 freeway. From the highway, many hotels and motel signs are visible. Most places of accomdations are $60 or less in the area. Mostly, the town is quiet, growing and has a modest, blue-collar feel. If you like to mix in with the locals, here is where to go.

Don't be Fooled..

Santa Fe Springs sounds like an enticing resort area but trust, me it's plain old drab town just enough worthy to consider for living. There are no pretty running thermal springs here- but oh, however, in the city government/downtown area of town there are cutesy water fountains with sculptures of little kids playing (Oh, I'm such a sucker for little things like this in a place, you know! I shall take pics of downtown whenever I choose to stop there hehe :-)